From the Desk of Aaron Lohmeyer

Middle-Secondary Classroom Music: News Summer 2023

Below are a few Minnesota Mid-Sec General Music resources to consider going into your summer planning.

3 Strings

• Ruth LeMay’s 3 Strings is taking off nationally as a methodical approach to adaptive ensemble music making.  Nationwide, the need for music education tailored specifically to neurodivergent learners is increasing as teachers wrestle with equal access and inclusion for all. 3 Strings is an innovative approach using knowledge learned in one’s formative years. Shapes, colors, pictures, etc. transliterate into a new music literacy that works alone or in conjunction with traditional music literacy. What began as three strings on a guitar has expanded to include bass, ukulele, 6 string guitar, drum set, piano, voice, handbells, Orff instrumentation and the development for wind instruments is underway. Using 3 Strings methodology musicians are able to play a wide range of culturally responsive music in any key. 3 Strings grants immediate access to meaningful music making for a lifetime.
• Contact Ruth LeMay for more information ruth@3strings.org
• Website: https://3strings.org/

Stage PBS Curriculum

• Stage Curriculum

  Natalia Romero Arbeláez and Caylee Haus Reger from PBS have teamed up to create secondary general music curriculum resources connected to the STAGE series on Minnesota PBS which features a variety of local artists.  The curriculum connects students to the cultural diversity within Minnesota with guiding questions and assignments for the teacher.  This curriculum is current and culture sustaining and can be found at this link.

• Contact Natalia at (nata.romero.a@gmail.com) or website: naromero.com

Modern Band Teacher Training

• Dr. Bryan Powell (Executive Director of the Association for Popular Music Education) will be back in Minnesota this summer delivering a three-day workshop on Modern Band in Winona, June 21-23.  This approach uses the instrumentation of various popular music bands to put students in touch with their chosen music while embracing the unique literacies relevant to popular music.  $150 for a three day workshop.
• Email: aaron.lohmeyer@winona.edu
• Registration: https://www2.winona.edu/music/workshops.asp

Carleton’s Music Theory Workshop

• “During the Carleton Summer Institute Workshop in Music Theory, we will explore best practices for pedagogy in music theory for the AP Music Theory course. The workshop will assist both new and experienced AP high-school teachers in developing a better understanding of the course and will present successful teaching approaches that can lead to success for students in the course.”
• Link to info and registration: https://www.carleton.edu/summer/ap-summer-institute/workshops/#music

Teaching Guitar Workshops (TGW)

• “The Teaching Guitar Workshops were started by members of GAMA, NAMM and NAfME in 1995. The objective: help school music educators start or enhance classroom guitar programs and deliver more music making opportunities to children. Between 1995 and today over 4,000 school music teachers across the United States and Canada have enjoyed TGW. 
• Teachers:

1. 1. Classroom guitar teachers attract new students to music education.
   2. Guitar can fill up a teaching schedule.
   3. Music education is in demand and recruiting is easy.
   4. Guitar programs are inexpensive to start and maintain.
   5. Many teachers report increased job security since starting guitar programs.

• Students:
  • Classroom guitar programs attract kids who were not previously involved in school music. Guitar programs have also helped “at-risk” kids get more involved in school and improve their performance.”
  • While there is not a Minnesota workshop this year, there are two virtual options and you can receive graduate credit through Vandercook.  June 26-30 or July 17-21 
• Info and registration:
• https://www.guitaredunet.org/

World Music Pedagogy at St. Thomas

• “A diverse range of media and repertoire are explored in this week-long in-person intensive with the goal of building confidence and skills in diversifying music teaching and learning experiences. Attention will be given to the sociocultural and sociohistorical contexts of the music cultures. This is achieved through the performance of songs, dance, instrumental music, and discussions of constructs related to creating anti-biased environments and dispositions. Participants will be guided through recordings and curricular materials from the Smithsonian Folkways archives and experiences with culture bearers and teaching artists that fit the needs of students in knowing music (and knowing culture through music). Musical experiences will be tailored for use at various levels, including in classes for K-12 setting, community music, and higher education. Enrolled participants will join together to share particular means of teaching world music, and will receive a certificate from the Smithsonian Institution in World Music Pedagogy. 3 Graduate Credits available as an option.”
• Dates: June 26-30
• For more information, please contact Dr. Karen Howard at karen.howard@stthomas.edu.

Slam Academy

• This is a Minneapolis based organization providing education and training in various areas of electronic music making.  DJing, Music Production, Ableton Certification, Mixing/Mastering, Recording, Sound Design…there is a lot to explore.  Programs are offered in-person and virtual.  
• Programs: https://slamacademy.com/programs/